Postgraduate Taught

Keele University has a long established reputation in Initial and Pre-Initial Teacher Education. Provision was last inspected by Ofsted in 2008 and the University is a Grade A (Outstanding) provider of Initial Teacher Education. These are full-time courses that are designed to develop subject knowledge so that successful participants can broaden and deepen their academic knowledge, thus enabling them to progress to an Initial Teacher Education programme (PGCE, GTP, or SCITT).

Successful students on the SKE can undertake their teacher training at Keele or at another provider.

• To broaden academic subject knowledge
• To enable participants to develop and review their subject knowledge within an educational context
• To provide innovative and relevant learning experiences that will enable participants to become successful subject specialists within their Initial Teacher Education programme and beyond

Participants should also:

• Have developed criteria for evaluating their own performance
• Be able to learn from this evaluation.
• have developed an initial awareness and understanding the sort of teacher they want to be

It is a requirement that, to be accepted onto the Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course, an applicant must have been offered a place on a course of Initial Teacher Education and Training. This may be:

• On the PGCE at Keele University
• On a PGCE at another institution
• A Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) with a training provider
• A School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme at another institution.

In considering an applicant for the Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course, Keele University will use its PGCE selection criteria as part of the process. This will enable us to make a conditional offer of a place on the PGCE at Keele University. The Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses are designed to meet individual needs and we therefore consider a range of profiles as detailed below under specific courses:

Chemistry – 36-week course

• A degree (normally a minimum 2:2, with no science based content) and one science A Level or equivalent and Mathematics and English Language GCSE or equivalent

NB We will not accept Sports Science or Psychology as science A Levels for entry in September 2010. However, this will be kept under review and we would encourage you to contact the University for further guidance.

• A science based degree (normally a minimum 2:2) but not based on National Curriculum subjects and, one or more science A Levels or equivalent, as well as English Language or Mathematics GCSE or equivalent
• A science degree in one of the main National Curriculum subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science/Geology) but no second science at least to A Level or equivalent (those considering training to be a science teacher who have a second science at least to A Level or equivalent would be eligible for consideration for the University’s One Year PGCE Course)

Mathematics – 36-week course

• You can be a graduate from any subject discipline (preferably with some mathematics components but not necessary) and a Mathematics A Level. You will also be required to have Mathematics and English Language GCSE or equivalent
• It is a normal expectation that candidates will have A Level Mathematics or an equivalent level qualification with appropriate mathematical content
• We are very happy to consider candidates with professional qualifications of graduate equivalence status and we encourage applications from such people
• We recognise that a number of people have non-traditional degrees and/or other qualifications and/or experiences. We would encourage them to make contact with relevant staff at the University to seek specific help and guidance

Physics – 36-week course

• A degree (normally a minimum 2:2, with no science based content) and one science A Level or equivalent and Mathematics and English Language GCSE or equivalent.

N.B. We will not accept Sports Science or Psychology as science A Levels for entry in September 2010. However, this will be kept under review and we would encourage you to contact the University for further guidance.

• A science based degree (normally a minimum 2:2) but not based on National Curriculum subjects and, one or more science A Levels or equivalent, as well as English Language or Mathematics GCSE or equivalent
• A science degree in one of the main National Curriculum subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science/Geology) but no second science at least to A Level or equivalent (those considering training to be a science teacher who have a second science at least to A Level or equivalent would be eligible for consideration for the University’s One Year PGCE Course)

These courses are intensive programmes. They have been recently reviewed and strengthened through the introduction of a professional placement in an educational setting. This provides the opportunity for participants to consider the nature of their subject in terms of the demands of the school curriculum. It also provides participants with the opportunity to commence the development of the necessary skills to be a successful classroom practitioner.

For specific course content please see the following leaflets.

Course Leaflets:

Chemistry (12 months) |  Mathematics (12 months)  | Physics (12 months)

Course participants are assessed through written assignments, presentations, examinations and a range of files/portfolios that are put together during the course.